Mrs Phyllis Hartley, aged 99. "With Christ" on 19th January. Saved in her late teens, she was in fellowship in the assembly at Shipley, Yorkshire, where she and her late husband Ernest showed much hospitality to the Lord’s people, especially to many of the Lord’s servants. Later she was in Harehills assembly, Leeds and finally in Kirkconnel assembly in Scotland, when needing more care due to her great age. The local assembly was her life. She was still able to gather with the saints until her final year.
Mrs Maude Kirk, aged 80, went to be with Christ on 28th January. She was saved while attending gospel meetings in the Gospel Hall at Ballyhay in County Down in 1949. Some time later Maude was baptized and received into assembly fellowship. Approximately 40 years ago she developed Multiple Sclerosis, and for many years was severely disabled. This long and trying illness was borne with great grace and Christian courage. Her attitude to suffering was a testimony to all who knew her. A large number of local people and unsaved relatives attended her funeral where the gospel was preached by James and Wesley Martin assisted by Cecil Williamson and Stephen McGarvey. Prayer is requested for her sister Miss Irene Reid who lovingly cared for her for many years, and for the wider family circle.
Mrs Betty Pauley, aged 84, on 15th February. Saved at the age of 21 after a Sunday evening gospel meeting, Betty was received into the Bloomfield assembly shortly after it commenced in 1946 and was in happy fellowship for the past 62 years. She was a consistent and regular attender at all the assembly meetings until a few years before she died. Latterly she was unable to be at the meetings due to health problems. She had a great interest in the assembly all her life and continually prayed for the well-being of each member of the assembly and for the salvation of their children. She also had a deep love for children and was actively involved in the children’s work for many years. Betty was held in great esteem by her friends and neighbours, many of whom attended her funeral. W Mayhew, S Hawthorne, E McKnight, M Beattie, and A Grieve shared in the services. Please remember her husband, two daughters, son, daughter-in-law, two grand-children, and the wider family circle all of whom feel her passing very keenly.
Mr George Rae, aged 83, on 3rd October, after a short spell in hospital. George had the privilege of being born into a family where the Lord’s name was revered, honoured and greatly praised. He was a mischevious fun loving boy in the midst of a large family and at the age of 8 lost his right eye during some rough and tumble with friends. However, this was never allowed to hold him back. George was converted as a young man in Prestwick. He then moved to Aberdeen to work, and married Chrissie, the eldest daughter of Robert Ross. The couple were blessed with five children. When they moved to Prestwick the family home at Moorfield soon became a hive of activity and fun. George was mainly in fellowship in Bethany Hall, Glenburn, where his contributions in prayer, worship, and preaching were greatly appreciated. He spent some time at Machermore Eventide Home as a gardener and enjoyed fellowship with the believers at Newton Stewart. After the passing of Chrissie, George moved to Prestwick Toll and latterly found new love and companionship with Janet Scott whom he married in April, 2008. They were very happy together and George was settling in well, and contributing to the praise and worship in Bute Hall when he suddenly took ill. The large funeral in Bute Hall was a token of the respect with which George was held and must have been of comfort to Janet and the Rae family as they mourn.
Mrs Phoebe (Fay) Russell, aged 90, was called home to be with the Lord on 1st January. She was saved as a young woman, was later baptised and received into the assembly at Kingsmoss, and, apart from a few years following her marriage when she was in fellowship in Glengormley assembly, she remained in Kingsmoss until her homecall. She always had a keen interest in the activities of the assembly and the Lord’s work in general. Our sister had a kind and welcoming manner and was noted for the smile which she always seemed to have. Her large funeral, with many friends and neighbours present, was a token of the respect in which she was held. R Pickering and S McGowan spoke at the funeral with other local brethren taking part. Prayer is requested for her son Brian, who lovingly and faithfully cared for his mother for a number of years, and for his family.
